They approved, however, a $409,000 school bond for upgrades at Charlotte Central School, according to preliminary results provided by Town Clerk Mary Mead.

An advisory article drew the most debate at the town meeting, as voters considered the benefits and potential negative outcomes of changing the way they vote on the municipal budget.

After passing a $3,459,425 town budget with no opposing votes, town residents created a Highway Capital Reserve Fund and authorized the Selectboard to deposit money into it. Both motions also were approved unanimously.

Selectboard Chairman Lane Morrison explained that although there is an increase of $67,000 in the budget, it is likely to be more than offset by expected revenue from the sale of four properties for which taxes have not been paid in recent years.

Officers of the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services reviewed the number of calls and services provided, including 6,570 hours by 15 volunteers in addition to work by 15 paid staff members.

With the budget items settled, few voters departed as discussion centered on the best way to allow more residents to vote on the budget and still keep the face-to-face dialogue of town meeting tradition.

The original article proposed authorizing the Selectboard to explore adoption of a legislative charter, including a two-part process for voting. The board would present a budget at town meeting, when voters could give their opinions. Then a vote on the modified budget would be held by Australian (secret) ballot five weeks later.

After revising the motion with two amendments, voters decided 124-51 to approve the creation of a charter to allow the Selectboard to receive binding instructions, not just advice, from voters on Town Meeting Day regarding their desired changes to a proposed budget. All town voters then could participate by Australian ballot "at a subsequent date as soon as legally permissible."

The charter creation would require two public hearings and a vote by Australian ballot, followed by approval from the Vermont Legislature, Selectboard member Charles Russell said. It could be possible to implement it by next Town Meeting Day.

Not all residents saw the recommendation as the best way forward. Resident Valerie Graham said, "I think we need to hold town meeting at another time when more people could come, when the school is empty and we can use the cafeteria for lunch. We have to make town meeting something that people want to come to."

Others said they feared not enough people would come to a special Australian ballot for the budget, but Bob Mahairas said, "Let's try it. If it doesn't work, fix it."

Voters also passed an advisory motion by John Howe to advise the governor and legislature to fully fund the Community High School in Vermont prisons at its present level.